Must be the full moon.

Hatch1921

It's been an interesting month to say the least. I completed the last of my summer classes and immediately following my last class I went straight to a job interview. I was hired that day. Awesome... start day was the 18th. I had also been scheduled for an interviews with two other companies. They knew this and were understanding of the situation.

I interviewed with company "B" and it was tough. The personal questions...leadership...projects... HR type questions were easy for the most part. I have 20 years of Air Force experience ...dealing with people... not a big deal. The tech questions... ouch. LOL

It's been over a year since I touched anything Cisco.. so... I studied up for a couple of weeks in anticipation of the interview. For the most part, I was able to answer many of the questions but, there were a number of them I just had the "deer in headlights" look.

I would give myself a C- in the tech area.

So... yesterday company "B" called and made an offer... which was $10K over company "A" with better benefits. And... it's all about Cisco/Networking. The direction I wanted to head to begin with. AWESOME!

I then called company "A" to let them know about the other job and that I was taking it. They then made a counter offer... I wasn't prepared for that one... lol... but they couldn't beat the benefits.

So... I now start the 1st week in September with company "B"... can't wait. Nervous/Excited... it's going to be a ride but I know I will learn a ton.

I received a couple of calls today to schedule interviews. I declined... company "B" is large and has a lot to offer.


I wanted to share this to let others know there are jobs out there. Keep the faith! I'm 42... starting a 2nd career... no experience in IT other than college and companies are making offers. You will find something that works for you... hang in there if you are looking.

Interview tips (I'm far from an expert) might be helpful....which I learned from this great forum and various threads and of course... going on interviews.

Clean cut... nice appearance. Dress for success... no joke. I showed up to two different interviews and several people were in faded jeans, polo shirts and looking scruffy. I didn't wear a suit... just slacks/button shirt/tie. You stand out...

Communication is key... be personable. Work to carry on a conversation even if it is painful to you... even if it isn't 100% your strength. I had a couple of hiring managers comment on communication skills... and how many applicants were not able to string a sentence together. Prime example. A guy went in ahead of me... was literally in the office for 5 minutes... hardly spoke... didn't sale himself. I followed him and was in there 45-50 minutes. We talked about everything from the job to life experiences.

Show up 15 min early... I saw several people show up late or "on time".... just shook my head... it's a "first impression" ... you only get one as the saying goes.

Study up about the company you are going to work for.... I was asked in each interview... why do you want to work for us? Speak to the history of the company and what you liked about what they stand for... and what they have to offer... etc.

EVERY single interview I attended ... the interviewer used the STAR format. Youtube... format your answers using this method... it really helps sell you to them. Review your resume before you go into the interview... it helps to trigger things to talk about when they ask about you and your past experiences.

Hope some of this helps... just wanted to say thanks to the community and pass on some things I've learned over the past month of interviewing.

Hatch

cyberguypr

Great story and good tips. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the new gig.

geekgirl74

Congrats!

I agree with the nice appearance comment. Odds are, you don't know the dress code and even if you do - you want to impress. I work for an MSP and we do NOT wear denim...we dress business casual. You don't hear that often in the IT realm, but it's out there...be prepared.

Hatch1921

cyberguypr wrote: »

Great story and good tips. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the new gig.

many thanks!

Hatch1921

geekgirl74 wrote: »

Congrats!

I agree with the nice appearance comment. Odds are, you don't know the dress code and even if you do - you want to impress. I work for an MSP and we do NOT wear denim...we dress business casual. You don't hear that often in the IT realm, but it's out there...be prepared.

Thank you! Company "A" required business dress... just no tie. Company "B" is slacks and a polo... I agree... never know what they have in place... better to be over the top than looking like a scrub.

Thanks again.
Hatch

tkerber

geekgirl74 wrote: »

Congrats!

I agree with the nice appearance comment. Odds are, you don't know the dress code and even if you do - you want to impress. I work for an MSP and we do NOT wear denim...we dress business casual. You don't hear that often in the IT realm, but it's out there...be prepared.

Same here, MSPs are usually all business casual. With the exception of a few where you have to wear their brand polo or whatever it may be.

Also, how do you guys feel about interviewing with a suit? I'm in a Jr Systems Admin type of position and ever since I started interviewing for positions beyond service desk I started wearing suits and probably should have earlier on. I feel like a well-fitted suit with nice shoes and a tie is almost a need for any interview. Looking back I cannot believe I went to some interviews without wearing a suit.

Asif Dasl

Awesome post, good luck with the new job!

Hatch1921

tkerber wrote: »

Same here, MSPs are usually all business casual. With the exception of a few where you have to wear their brand polo or whatever it may be.

Also, how do you guys feel about interviewing with a suit? I'm in a Jr Systems Admin type of position and ever since I started interviewing for positions beyond service desk I started wearing suits and probably should have earlier on. I feel like a well-fitted suit with nice shoes and a tie is almost a need for any interview. Looking back I cannot believe I went to some interviews without wearing a suit.

I had a couple of classes in college with a hiring manager for a large tech company. He said a suit wasn't fully necessary... slacks/shirt/tie were fine. He was more interested in how the person was able to conduct themselves during the interview. He also mentioned he knew if the first 30 seconds if the individual was a possible candidate or not. This goes back to first impressions and communication skills. I don't think you can go wrong with a suit or shirt/tie/slacks.... jeans and t-shirt... not so much.

Hatch1921

Asif Dasl wrote: »

Awesome post, good luck with the new job!

Many thanks Asif.

Hatch

tkerber

Hatch1921 wrote: »

I had a couple of classes in college with a hiring manager for a large tech company. He said a suit wasn't fully necessary... slacks/shirt/tie were fine. He was more interested in how the person was able to conduct themselves during the interview. He also mentioned he knew if the first 30 seconds if the individual was a possible candidate or not. This goes back to first impressions and communication skills. I don't think you can go wrong with a suit or shirt/tie/slacks.... jeans and t-shirt... not so much.

That's kind of a relief. I guess having parents in finance and management might be an influence on that for me

Either way it sounds like you've done well for yourself, congratulations and best of luck.

AverageJoe

What a great story! Congrats, Hatch! Always good to hear a successful hire story, and I'm especially glad to see fellow Airmen doing well post-service career. I've often said military retirement is an opportunity to go a different route and try a different career area, and it sounds like that's just what you've done. Very awesome! I'm thinking of moving the other way when I hang up the uniform, moving away from IT. So your account is inspiring in two ways: not only a successful hire, but also a successful career shift. Good luck with it all, and I hope you'll continue to let us know how the transition goes!

Just an average Joe

zxbane

Congrats and great advice, as Joe said it is always good to see a fellow Airmen doing well! Great tips as well

Hatch1921

Thanks again all and thank you for your service. @Averagejoe, best of luck with your transition... it can be a fun one for sure. Making the career change was/is a little scary just because of the comfort factor of the old job. It's a new path with much to learn... but I think that is what is also so very exciting about the change.

Thanks again all.
Hatch

Cisco Inferno

Good luck! you have no idea how tough it is for noobies. let alone being a career changer!

way to go! never stop learning!

Hatch1921

Cisco Inferno wrote: »

Good luck! you have no idea how tough it is for noobies. let alone being a career changer!

way to go! never stop learning!

Many thanks. I think Phoenix has a pretty strong market at the moment. Several of my classmates have been hired since graduation (May) and are doing well. I am VERY thankful for this opportunity and count myself to be in a very lucky and fortunate situation. I do wish the best for anyone in the job hunting process. It is stressful...and far from easy. Lots of competition out there. Again... I think it was the full moon.

Things just lined up this month. Not only with the job... completed the degree... celebrated 20 years with my wife in Vegas and we found a house we like... and are in the process of moving. It's just been a great month. It's been a journey for sure. Looking forward to what lies next.

Thanks again.
Hatch

Cisco Inferno

Hatch1921 wrote: »

Many thanks. I think Phoenix has a pretty strong market at the moment. Several of my classmates have been hired since graduation (May) and are doing well. I am VERY thankful for this opportunity and count myself to be in a very lucky and fortunate situation. I do wish the best for anyone in the job hunting process. It is stressful...and far from easy. Lots of competition out there. Again... I think it was the full moon.

Things just lined up this month. Not only with the job... completed the degree... celebrated 20 years with my wife in Vegas and we found a house we like... and are in the process of moving. It's just been a great month. It's been a journey for sure. Looking forward to what lies next.

Thanks again.
Hatch

I know the feeling! I JUST got a job offer today! I'll be a Net Admin after doing Help Desk stuff for a few years!
My excitement has got me feeling those days once again! Hope you advance!

I've also heard many good things about Phoenix in person here in Florida. I was working at Konica Minolta's IT Service company here and they are based in Phoenix I believe. I heard it shouldn't be hard to get good work there.

devils_haircut

I think the biggest thing I took away from the military (besides gear ) was the ability to interview. Sitting through two promotion boards being grilled by senior NCOs makes any civilian interview a stress-free breeze. And the simple stuff, like actually ironing your clothes, dressing sharp, being clean cut and punctual, those have always helped set me apart from the competition.

I started getting cocky because every time I interviewed, I was basically guaranteed to get the job. I've only been turned down once, and that was because a recruiter, who knew I was entry level, took me to an interview with a company that was looking for an experienced tech. I nailed the interview, but just didn't have the experience for the role.

Hatch1921

Cisco Inferno wrote: »

I know the feeling! I JUST got a job offer today! I'll be a Net Admin after doing Help Desk stuff for a few years!
My excitement has got me feeling those days once again! Hope you advance!

I've also heard many good things about Phoenix in person here in Florida. I was working at Konica Minolta's IT Service company here and they are based in Phoenix I believe. I heard it shouldn't be hard to get good work there.

A big congrats on your new job! The Phoenix market is pretty strong from what I can tell. Have fun in the new job.
Hatch

Hatch1921

devils_haircut wrote: »

I think the biggest thing I took away from the military (besides gear ) was the ability to interview. Sitting through two promotion boards being grilled by senior NCOs makes any civilian interview a stress-free breeze. And the simple stuff, like actually ironing your clothes, dressing sharp, being clean cut and punctual, those have always helped set me apart from the competition.

I started getting cocky because every time I interviewed, I was basically guaranteed to get the job. I've only been turned down once, and that was because a recruiter, who knew I was entry level, took me to an interview with a company that was looking for an experienced tech. I nailed the interview, but just didn't have the experience for the role.

No doubt the promotion boards help prepare you to handle pressure situations. Giving presentations and training others really help as well. The military throws you in to situations at an early age you might not face until you are a little older. I approached interviewing with the mentality that I had been through tons of difficult situations in the service and they either liked me or they didn't.... it was out of my hands and I just had to be me. To say I wasn't nervous during the tech interviews would be a lie. But... after a few questions the nerves pass... it's been an a great learning process for sure.

Again... best of luck to all of you who are job hunting. Be positive and hang in there.
Hatch

jibbajabba

Last two MSPs I worked for you were accused of having an interview if you are dressed smart lol .. Jeans, trainers and T-Shirt .. if you are lucky you find a bloke shaven ...

moe12

Congrats on the new job and quest of a new career. Keep us posted on how things are going.

thenjduke

Congrats. I will be 42 soon. It is nice to see someone starting out in our age group. Nice have the benefits from Miltary and now more You will enjoy Cisco.

RomBUS

Congrats! And thanks for the interview tips! Always looking to becoming an interview candidate

Hatch1921

jibbajabba wrote: »

Last two MSPs I worked for you were accused of having an interview if you are dressed smart lol .. Jeans, trainers and T-Shirt .. if you are lucky you find a bloke shaven ...

Many thanks

Hatch1921

thenjduke wrote: »

Congrats. I will be 42 soon. It is nice to see someone starting out in our age group. Nice have the benefits from Military and now more You will enjoy Cisco.

Thanks Thenjduke. 42 isn't all that bad LOL hang in there. It will be nice to have the additional income... no complaints! I'm looking forward to starting the Cisco journey.

Thanks again.
Hatch

Hatch1921

RomBUS wrote: »

Congrats! And thanks for the interview tips! Always looking to becoming an interview candidate

Thank you RomBUS. Just wanted to pass on a few tips from the experiences I had while interviewing. Hope they are useful.

Thanks again,
Hatch